‘Last budget withstood world economic recession’

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

“When last year’s budget was presented, the Opposition claimed it was not a realistic budget.

“Some of the ‘Pandits’ in the UNP argued that the government will not be able to survive or steer the economy through the measures included in that budget but it is very clear that there was economic empowerment despite the recession in the world economy, Irrigation and Water Resources Development Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva told the Daily News yesterday.

Minister Nimal Siripala

Minister de Silva said that the government collected taxes, paid the salaries and settled loan installments without any problem which demonstrates that President Rajapaksa’s government had been successful in pushing Sri Lanka in the correct direction.

“In the same manner I am confident that President Rajapaksa as the Finance Minister will present a realistic budget aimed at economic development rather than aiming for short-term benefits.

According to Minister de Silva, the Southern Expressway is a landmark development in the highways sector.

“Those days we had to go to Malaysia, Singapore or Japan to witness a highway. This demonstrates clearly the development efforts of the UPFA government under Mahinda Chinthanaya – Vision for the Future which is bringing people more and more closer as a world economic hub.

“The new expressway will certainly promote investment, industries, tourism and also bring people from different provinces more and more close to each other. We hope that other planned highways will also be built within the next few years, the minister added.